Methods and devices to generate [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides

ABSTRACT

Described herein are methods and devices that allow the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (such as [F-18]tosyl fluoride) in a manner that is suitable for radiosynthesis of F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals using currently available synthesis modules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/961,521, filed on Jan. 15, 2020, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/403,954, filed on Jan. 11, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/277,222, filed on Jan. 11, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT CLAUSE

This invention was made with government support under CA025836 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are methods and devices that allow the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (such as [F-18]tosyl fluoride) in a manner that is suitable for radiosynthesis of F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals using currently available synthesis modules. The methods and devices described herein can simply generate [F-18]triflyl fluoride in short time and in high yield, and are compatible with currently available radiosynthesis modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (including [F-18]tosyl fluoride) have been demonstrated to provide a solution for current preparation of F-18 radiopharmaceuticals and for future needs of on-demand synthesis and personalized health care.

Conventionally, a syringe pump is commonly used in methods related to the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides. However, syringe pumps present several difficulties for such applications. For example, previously reported methods to prepare [F-18]triflyl fluoride involve multiple steps (including trapping [F-18]fluoride in cartridge, eluting from the cartridge, reaction and removal from reaction mixture, drying by a drying column, and trapping [F-18]triflyl fluoride for labeling).

In contrast, for the preparation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride in the methods described herein, a separator (an empty cartridge, a vial with needles, or a cartridge with inert materials) is used to separate [F-18]triflyl fluoride from the reaction mixture using the air flow provided by the pump. No drying of [F-18]triflyl fluoride by drying agents as reported is needed for this process. For the preparation of [F-18]tosyl fluoride, circulating the eluting agent (tosyl chloride in acetonitrile) through the ionic exchange cartridge allows the preparation of [F-18]tosyl fluoride in high purity and in minimal volume that is suitable for radiosynthesis. This method can be integrated into a radiosynthesis module.

Described herein are methods and devices that allow the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (such as [F-18]tosyl fluoride) in manners that are suitable for radiosynthesis of F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals using currently available synthesis modules. A peristaltic pump is used to load [F-18]fluoride onto an ionic exchange cartridge, to load acetonitrile to rinse the cartridge in order to dry it, to load reagents to elute radioactivity, to circulate reaction mixture through a cartridge, and to provide air flow to separate [F-18]triflyl fluoride from the reaction mixture. This peristaltic pump design allows multiple jobs using the same pump.

The methods and devices described herein generate [F-18]triflyl fluoride in short time and in high yield, and are compatible with currently available radiosynthesis modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, described herein is a method of making [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride without any evaporation step, wherein all method steps are performed with a single peristaltic pump. The method comprises passing an aqueous [F-18]fluoride solution or solvent through a solid phase extraction column comprising an anion-exchange resin so that the [F-18]fluoride is trapped on the resin, rinsing the resin with an organic solvent to eliminate residual water, and eluting the [F-18]fluoride with an eluting solution to release the [F-18]fluoride from the anion-exchange resin as [F-18]RSO₂F which acts as a source of [F-18]fluoride for a labeling reaction. The eluting solution comprises a compound having the formula RSO₂R¹ and an organic solvent, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and combinations thereof, and R¹ is a leaving group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TsF using a peristaltic pump in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts data for a Radio-HPLC of purified [¹⁸F]TsF in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF using a peristaltic pump in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF using a peristaltic pump in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF using a peristaltic pump in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the design of a [¹⁸F]TsF and [¹⁸F]TfF generator in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the separation of [¹⁸F]TfF from eluted solution in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the separation of [¹⁸F]TfF from eluted solution in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7C depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the separation of [¹⁸F]TfF from eluted solution in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7D depicts a schematic showing an exemplary embodiment for the separation of [¹⁸F]TfF from eluted solution in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts data for a Radio-HPLC of [¹⁸F]TfF after eluting from cartridge using PhN(Tf)₂ in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary scheme for the preparation of [¹⁸F]tosyl fluoride ([¹⁸F]TsF) using a peristaltic pump.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 depicts a Radio-HPLC of purified [¹⁸F]TsF. The black line shows the UV data and the dashed line shows the radioactivity data. The peaks at 4.3 minutes are [¹⁸F]TsF. The peak of TsCl at 5 min is completely gone. [¹⁸F]TsF (25.9 mCi) was generated in 96.7% radiochemical yield in acetonitrile (1 mL) with specific activity of 1645 mCi/μmol.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary scheme for the preparation of [¹⁸F]triflyl fluoride ([¹⁸F]TfF) using a peristaltic pump.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary scheme for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF using a peristaltic pump.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary scheme for the preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF using a peristaltic pump.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary scheme for the design of a [¹⁸F]TsF and [¹⁸F]TfF generator. Switch-a is connected to different ports (ports a, b, c, d, and e) for loading [¹⁸F]fluoride, reagents, solvents, air or inert gas, etc. Four-way switches f and g are set up for the elution. Switch-f has four ports: ports 1, 2, 3, and 4. Switch-g has four ports: ports 5, 6, 7, and 8. Each switch can be rotated to alter the flow path. For example, once [¹⁸F]fluoride is trapped and dried in the solid phase extraction (SPE) column, elution agents are loaded into the pump and SPE column. Ports 2 and 3 of switch-f and ports 5 and 8 of switch-g are on for circulation. When the circulation is completed, port 1 and 2 are on and [¹⁸F]TsF can be eluted through port 4. There are many options for this setup that are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7D depict exemplary schemes for the separation of [¹⁸F]TfF from eluted solution. FIG. 7A depicts separation via an empty cartridge (with or without a frit or frits). Frits are filters that are commonly used in commercially available SPE columns and cartridges to provide support for resins and even flow through resins. They are made of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), PTFE or other materials. FIG. 7B depicts separation via bubbling in a V vial. FIG. 7C depicts separation through an inert materials cartridge. FIG. 7D depicts separation through conversion in a secondary empty cartridge and transference to a reaction vial.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 depicts a Radio-HPLC of [¹⁸F]TfF after eluting from cartridge using PhN(Tf)₂ without the separation step The solid line shows the UV data and the dashed line shows the radioactivity data. The peak of [¹⁸F]TfF was observed at 3.3 min. However, significant amount of precursor PhN(Tf)₂ was observed at 8.3 min. [¹⁸F]TfF with PhN(Tf)₂ is practically useless for radiolabeling. [¹⁸F]TfF can be purified easily as described in the method by the separator, which separate [F-18]TfF from the eluted reaction mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein, the synthesis of [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides has been enhanced by using a single peristaltic pump. In some aspects, eluting is done via a circulating method with the single peristaltic pump. In some aspects, the single peristaltic pump provides air flow to separate [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride from the reaction mixture.

As described herein, a separator is a device used to separate gaseous [¹⁸F]TfF from non- or low-volatile solvents/reagents. As shown in FIG. 6 , a commercially available empty solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge allows such a separation. Bubbling air or other inert gas through the eluted solution also allows [¹⁸F]TfF to be separated from the solution. A cartridge with material inert towards [¹⁸F]TsF allows gas to pass while retaining eluted solution with the inert materials.

In some embodiments, a method of making [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride without any evaporation step is disclosed. The method comprises: a) passing an aqueous [F-18]fluoride solution or solvent through a solid phase extraction column comprising an anion-exchange resin so that the [F-18]fluoride is trapped on the resin; b) rinsing the resin with an organic solvent to eliminate the residual water; and c) eluting the [F-18]fluoride with an eluting solution to release the [F-18]fluoride from the anion-exchange resin as [F-18]RSO₂F which acts as a source of [F-18]fluoride for a labeling reaction, wherein the eluting solution comprises a compound having the formula RSO₂R¹ and an organic solvent, wherein

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and combinations thereof;

R¹ is a leaving group; and

wherein all method steps are performed with a single peristaltic pump.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the eluting is done via a circulating method with the single peristaltic pump.

In some embodiments, the single peristaltic pump provides air flow to separate [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride from the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a separator is used to separate [F-18]triflyl fluoride from the reaction mixture using the air flow provided by the pump. In some embodiments, the separator is selected from the group consisting of an empty cartridge, a vial with needles, and a cartridge with inert materials.

In some embodiments, R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, methyl, and trifluoromethyl.

In some embodiments, R is selected from the group consisting of CH₃, CF₃, C₆H₅, CH₃C₆H₄, CF₃C₆H₄, NO₂C₆H₄, ClC₆H₄, FC₆H₄, BrC₆H₄, IC₆H₄, CH₃COC₆H₄, MeOC₆H₄, CNC₆H₄, Me₂NC₆H₄, 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂, and C₅H₅N (pyridine).

In some embodiments, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, tosylate (TsO), mesylate (MsO), and trifluoromethanesulfate (triflate; TfO).

In some embodiments, RSO₂ is selected from the group consisting of tosyl (Ts), mesyl (Ms), trifluoromethanesulfonyl (Tf), nosyl (Ns), besyl (Bs), and N-phenyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimide (NTfPh).

In some embodiments, RSO₂R¹ is selected from the group consisting of tosyl chloride, mesyl chloride, trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride, nosyl chloride, N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide), tosyl anhydride, mesyl anhydride, trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, tosyl mesylate, and tosyl triflate.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, 2-amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, and ethanol.

In some embodiments, the eluting solution further comprises a co-eluting agent selected from the group consisting of TsOH/TsO⁻, MsOH/MsO⁻, TfOH/TfO⁻, HCl/O⁻, H₂SO₄/HSO₄ ⁻/SO₄ ²⁻, AcOH/AcO⁻ and TsOH.H₂O.

In some embodiments, the anion exchange resin comprises a polymeric matrix and quaternary ammonium groups.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises regenerating the [F-18]fluoride in the presence of at least one base and at least one phase transfer catalyst during or before a labeling reaction.

In some embodiments, the base is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃), cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃), cesium biocarbonate, and tetrabutylammonium and tetramethylammonium salts (hydroxide, carbonate, and bicarbonate).

In some embodiments, the base and phase transfer catalyst are selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate/Kryptofix 222, potassium bicarbonate/Kryptofix 222, potassium carbonate/18-crown-6, and potassium bicarbonate/18-crown-6.

In some embodiments, the base and phase transfer catalyst are pre-dried prior to use.

In some embodiments, regeneration is carried out under anhydrous or aqueous conditions.

In some embodiments, the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride is used to measure concentration and specific activity of fluoride.

In some embodiments, the eluted solution containing the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride is used for the synthesis of a PET radiotracer.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Preparation of [¹⁸F]TsF Using a Peristaltic Pump

Experimental Conditions

Pump: Cole-Parmer Masterflex L/S (07557-14)

Pump Head: Masterflex L/S Standard Pump Head for L/S 14 Tubing, PPS Housing/SS Rotor (EW-07014-52)

Tubing: Masterflex C-Flex ULTRA tubing, L/S 14 (06434-14)

Flow rate: 3 mL/min

Void volume (from needle-A to needle-B): <0.5 mL

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 1 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride (1-50 mCi) in [¹⁸O]water (0.1-0.5 mL in a syringe) from a cyclotron was transferred to a vial. The residual radioactivity in the syringe was rinsed with MQ water (1 mL), and all radioactivity was combined in the vial. The radioactivity was loaded through needle-A and trapped in the SPE (Chromafix 30PS-HCO3 cartridge or Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ 30 mg, made in-house) in about 0.5 min via the peristaltic pump. MQ water (1 mL), followed by acetonitrile (1 mL), was added to the vial to rinse the system. Acetonitrile (5 mL) in another vial was used to dry the cartridge. A solution of TsCl (1 mg) and TsOH.H₂O (0.25 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL) in the V vial (as shown in FIG. 1 ) was circulated for 3 min at room temperature. The following two steps present two separate procedural options. These options are not limiting.

In option 1, the solution was delivered to a reaction vial from needle-B, and followed by the system being rinsed with acetonitrile (0.5 mL). Up to 98% radioactivity was transferred to the reaction vial and 2% radioactivity was left in the SPE column (30P5-HCO₃).

In option 2, the system was rinsed with acetonitrile (0.5 mL) from needle-A, and all radioactivity was collected in the vial as shown above. The collected radioactivity can be distributed for several reactions.

Results

Radio-HPLC data of purified [¹⁸F]TsF prepared according to this example, utilizing option 1, are shown in FIG. 2 . [¹⁸F]TsF (25.9 mCi) was generated in 96.7% radiochemical yield in acetonitrile (1 mL) with specific activity of 1645 mCi/μmol.

Example 2. Preparation of [¹⁸F]TfF Using a Peristaltic Pump

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 3 .

Experimental Conditions

Pump: Cole-Parmer Masterflex L/S (07557-14)

Pump Head: Masterflex L/S Standard Pump Head for L/S 14 Tubing, PPS Housing/SS Rotor (EW-07014-52)

Tubing: Masterflex C-Flex ULTRA tubing, L/S 14 (06434-14)

Flow rate: 3 mL/min or 10 mL/min

Void volume (from needle-A to needle-B): <0.5 mL

Procedure

[¹⁸F]fluoride in [¹⁸O]water (0.1-0.5 mL in a syringe) from a cyclotron was transferred to a vial. The residual radioactivity in the syringe was rinsed with MQ water (1 mL), and all radioactivity was combined in the vial. The radioactivity was then added to the reservoir (see FIG. 3 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Chromafix 30PS-HCO₃ cartridge or Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (3 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (5-10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1-0.5 mL) was added and eluted to the separator at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ in acetonitrile.

Results

Radio-HPLC Data of [¹⁸F]TfF after eluting from the cartridge using PhN(Tf)₂ are shown in FIG. 8 . The solid line shows the UV data and the dashedline shows the radioactivity data. The peak of [¹⁸F]TfF was observed at 3.3 min. However, significant amount of precursor PhN(Tf)₂ was observed at 8.3 min. [¹⁸F]TfF with PhN(Tf)₂ is practically useless for radiolabeling. [¹⁸F]TfF can be purified easily as described in the method by the separator, which separate [F-18]TfF from the eluted reaction mixture.

Example 3. Synthesis of [¹⁸F]Fludeoxyglucose (FDG) Intermediate

Experimental Conditions

Reagent: Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.3 mL)

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: Supelco® 1 mL empty polypropylene SPE Tube with PE fits

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (1.6 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 3 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride (˜4 mCi) in water (1 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 3 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (3 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.3 mL) was added and eluted into a 1 mL empty SPE tube with PE fit on the bottom at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (1.6 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.136 mCi (3.2%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.03 mCi (1%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 3.87 mCi (91.3%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.20 mCi (4.7%)

Radiosynthesis of FDG:

The above radioactivity was added to FDG precursor (4.8 mg), and then heated at 75° C. for 10 min.

RadioTLC indicated 93% radiochemical conversion as the FDG intermediate.

Example 4. Synthesis of [¹⁸F]FluorThanatrace ([¹⁸F]FTT)

Experimental Conditions

[¹⁸F]fluoride: 43 mCi in 0-18 water

Reagent: Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.3 mL)

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: Supelco® 1 mL empty polypropylene SPE Tube with PE fits

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) and FTT precursor (1.1 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 3 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride (43.1 mCi) in water (0.6 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 3 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (5 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.3 mL) was added and eluted into a 1 mL empty SPE tube with PE frit on the bottom at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) and FTT tosylate precursor (1.1 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 1.4 mCi (3.8%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 2.06 mCi (5.5%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 33.2 mCi (89%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.14 mCi (0.38%)

The above reaction mixture was heated at 108° C. for 10 min, and then diluted with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water (4 mL) for HPLC purification to afford 15 mCi final product (57% decay corrected yield) with specific activity of 1180 mCi/μmol at the end of synthesis.

Example 5. Synthesis of [¹⁸F]FDMT/(6-[4-[[1-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-3,8-Phenanthridinediamine) (as Boc-Protected Intermediate)

Experimental Conditions

Reagent: Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL), 10 mL/min

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: V-shape vial (1 mL)

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 4 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride in water (0.5 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 4 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (5 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf2NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL) was added and eluted into a V-shape vial (1 mL) via a needle (which was inserted to the bottom of the vial) at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.10 mCi (3.5%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.03 mCi (1%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 2.65 mCi (91.6%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.11 mCi (3.8%)

The above radioactivity was added to FDMT-OTs precursor (2.4 mg), and then heated at 86° C. for 10 min. RadioTLC of reaction solution indicated 83% radiochemical conversion, which was confirmed by radio-HPLC. 7.4% of total radioactivity is insoluble.

Example 6. Carrier-Added Synthesis of [¹⁸F]TfF

Experimental Conditions

Reagent: KF (0.1 μmol) as carrier to simulate mass from 1000 mCi fluoride with specific activity of 10000 mCi/μmol.

Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL), 10 mL/min

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: V-shape vial (1 mL)

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (50 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 4 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride (˜3 mCi) and potassium fluoride (0.1 μmol) in water (0.5 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 4 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (5 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL) was added and eluted into a V-shape vial (1 mL) via a needle (which was inserted to the bottom of the vial) at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (50 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.039 mCi (1%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.04 mCi (1%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 3.55 mCi (98%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.004 mCi (0%)

Example 7. Synthesis of methyl 4-[¹⁸F]fluoro-1-naphthoate Using [¹⁸F]TfF

Experimental Conditions

Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL), flow rate: 10 mL/min.

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: V-shape vial (1 mL)

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg) and labeling precursor (4 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 4 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride in water (0.5 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 4 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (5 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.1 mL) was added and eluted into a V-shape vial (1 mL) via a needle (which was inserted to the bottom of the vial) at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg) and 4-(methoxycarbonyl)-N,N,N-trimethylnaphthalen-1-aminium trifluoromethanesulfonate (4 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.12 mCi (2.6%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.08 mCi (1.7%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 4.41 mCi (94%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.07 mCi (1.7%)

Radiosynthesis: The reaction mixture after trapping was heated at 110° C. for 10 min. RadioTLC indicated 95% radiochemical conversion, which was confirmed by Radio-HPLC.

Example 8. Synthesis of [¹⁸F]FDG Intermediate

Experimental Conditions

Reagent: Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.2 mL), flow rate=3 mL/min

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: Whatman® drying cartridge (Na₂SO₄/1.5 gram)

Trapping agent in convertor: K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 5 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride in water (0.5 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 5 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG 1M-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (3 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf2NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.2 mL) was added and eluted through a Whatman® drying cartridge (containing 1.5 gram Na₂SO₄) at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.062 mCi (4.1%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.04 mCi (2.7%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 1.28 mCi (85.1%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.122 mCi (8.1%)

The above radioactivity was added to FDG precursor (5 mg), and then heated at 60° C. for 9 min.

RadioTLC of reaction solution indicated 97% radiochemical conversion, which was confirmed by radio-HPLC. 3.9% of total radioactivity is insoluble.

Example 9. Synthesis of methyl 4-[¹⁸F]fluoro-1-naphthoate Using [¹⁸F]TfF

Experimental Conditions

Reagent: Tf₂NPh (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.2 mL), flow rate=3 mL/min

SPE: Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO₃ (30 mg)

Separator: Whatman® drying cartridge (Na₂SO₄/1.5 gram)

Trapping agent in convertor: KHCO₃/K₂₂₂ (1 mg/3.75 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)

Procedure

This Example was prepared according to the scheme of FIG. 5 .

[¹⁸F]fluoride in water (0.5 mL) was added to the reservoir (see FIG. 5 ) and loaded onto the SPE (Bio-Rad AG MP-1M-HCO3 30 mg, made in-house) via the peristaltic pump at 10 mL/min. Eluted solvent was directed to the solvent waste container. MQ water (1 mL) was added to rinse the system at 10 mL/min. Acetonitrile (3 mL) was added to dry the cartridge at 10 mL/min. A solution of N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂NPh) (10 mg) in acetonitrile (0.2 mL) was added and eluted through a Whatman® drying cartridge (containing 1.5 gram Na₂SO₄) at 3 mL/min at room temperature for 5 min. [¹⁸F]TfF was trapped in the convertor/reactor, which contained KHCO₃/K₂₂₂ (1 mg/3.75 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL).

Results

Radioactivity left in SPE: 0.076 mCi (5.6%)

Radioactivity left in separator: 0.043 mCi (3.1%)

Radioactivity left trapped: 1.23 mCi (90%)

Radioactivity left in vent trap (alumina-N 1000 mg): 0.018 mCi (1.3%)

Radiosynthesis of methyl 4-[¹⁸F]fluoro-1-naphthoate

The above radioactivity was added to the precursor 4-(methoxycarbonyl)-N,N,N-trimethylnaphthalen-1-aminium trifluoromethanesulfonate (4 mg), and heated at 110° C. for 10 min. RadioTLC of reaction solution indicated 96% radiochemical conversion, which was confirmed by radio-HPLC. 3% of total radioactivity is insoluble.

Table 1 describes the eluting efficiency using common organic solvents acetonitrile (MeCN), DMSO, t-amyl alcohol and THF, which are also commonly used for ¹⁸F radiolabeling reactions.

TABLE 1 Eluting efficiency for a variety of eluting solvents (5 mg eluting agent Tf₂NPh at 3 mL/min, distilled at 10 mL/min, and trapped in K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL)). EE^(a) Entry Solvent (mL) (%) 1 MeCN (0.5 mL) 96 2 DMSO (0.5 mL) 68 3 t-amyl alcohol (0.5 mL) 94 4 THF (0.5 mL) 95 ^(a)EE/eluting efficiency (%) = radioactivity eluted/total of radioactivity.

Table 2 describes the trapping efficiency in the solution of K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ and KHCO₃/K₂₂₂ and radiochemical yield of reaction-ready fluoride after the process (trapped radioactivity/total starting radioactivity). K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ and KHCO₃/K₂₂₂ are commonly used bases for ¹⁸F radiolabeling. Cold fluoride was used to simulate an elution/trapping process in large amount of radioactivity.

TABLE 2 Trapping and isolated efficiencies (10 mg eluting agent Tf₂NPh in acetonitrile at 3 mL/min and distilled at 3 mL/min). TE^(a) RCY^(b) Entry Trapping agent (mg) (%) (%) Note^(c) Replicates 1 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg)   97.3 ± 1.1 92.4 ± 1.4 3 2 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg)   98.1 96.5 0.1 μmol fluoride added 1 3 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (5 mg)   91.4 86   Trapped in 1:4 1 MeCN/Amyl alcohol (500 μL) 4 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) 97.3 ± 1.5 90.5 ± 1.1 3 5 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) 31.9 29.3 Trapped in amyl alcohol 1 (300 μL) 6 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (2.5 mg) 15.3 15.2 1 μmol fluoride added 1 7 K₂CO₃/K₂₂₂ (1 mg)   85.4 ± 4.4 78.5 ± 1.5 2 8 KHCO₃(2 mg)/K₂₂₂ ^(d) 98.9 95.5 1 9 KHCO₃(1 mg)/K₂₂₂ ^(d) 95.5 ± 3.2 88.8 ± 1.2 2 ^(a)TE/trapping efficiency (%) = trapped radioactivity/(trapped + waste). ^(b)RCY/radiochemical yield (%) = isolated/total. ^(c)Acetonitrile (500 μL) is the trapping solvent except for as noted. ^(d)KHCO₃ (1 mg)/K₂₂₂ (3.76 mg). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride without any evaporation step, the method comprising: a) passing an aqueous [F-18]fluoride solution or solvent through a solid phase extraction column comprising an anion-exchange resin so that the [F-18]fluoride is trapped on the resin; b) rinsing the resin with an organic solvent to eliminate residual water; and c) eluting the [F-18]fluoride with an eluting solution to release the [F-18]fluoride from the anion-exchange resin as [F-18]RSO₂F which acts as a source of [F-18]fluoride for a labeling reaction, wherein the eluting solution comprises a compound having the formula RSO₂R¹ and an organic solvent, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and combinations thereof; R¹ is a leaving group; and wherein all method steps are performed with a single peristaltic pump.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the eluting is done via a circulating method with the single peristaltic pump.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the single peristaltic pump provides air flow to separate the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride from the reaction mixture.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a separator is used to separate the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride from the reaction mixture using the air flow provided by the pump.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the separator is selected from an empty cartridge, a vial with needles, and a cartridge with inert materials.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, methyl, and trifluoromethyl.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of CH₃, CF₃, C₆H₅, CH₃C₆H₄, CF₃C₆H₄, NO₂C₆H₄, ClC₆H₄, FC₆H₄, BrC₆H₄, IC₆H₄, CH₃COC₆H₄, MeOC₆H₄, CNC₆H₄, Me₂NC₆H₄, 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂, and C₅H₅N (pyridine).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, tosylate (TSO), mesylate (MSO), and trifluoromethanesulfate (triflate; TfO).
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein RSO₂ is selected from the group consisting of tosyl (Ts), mesyl (Ms), trifluoromethanesulfonyl (Tf), nosyl (Ns), besyl (Bs), and N-phenyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimide (NTfPh).
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein RSO₂R¹ is selected from the group consisting of tosyl chloride, mesyl chloride, trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride, nosyl chloride, N-Phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide), tosyl anhydride, mesyl anhydride, trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, tosyl mesylate, and tosyl triflate.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, 2-amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, and ethanol.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the eluting solution further comprises a co-eluting agent selected from the group consisting of TsOH/TsO⁻, MsOH/MsO⁻, TfOH/TfO⁻, HCl/Cl⁻, H₂SO₄/HSO₄ ⁻/SO₄ ²⁻, AcOH/AcO⁻ and TsOH.H₂O.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the anion exchange resin comprises a polymeric matrix and quaternary ammonium groups.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising regenerating the [F-18]fluoride in the presence of at least one base and at least one phase transfer catalyst during or before a labeling reaction.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃), cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃), cesium bicarbonate, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, tetrabutylammonium carbonate, tetrabutylammonium bicarbonate, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetramethylammonium carbonate, tetramethylammonium bicarbonate, tetrabutylammonium salts, and tetramethylammonium salts.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the base and phase transfer catalyst are selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate/4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo(8.8.8)hexacosane, potassium bicarbonate/4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo(8.8.8)hexacosane, potassium carbonate/18-crown-6, and potassium bicarbonate/18-crown-6.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the base and phase transfer catalyst are pre-dried prior to use.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein regeneration is carried out under anhydrous or aqueous conditions.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride is used to measure concentration and specific activity of fluoride.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the eluted solution containing the [F-18]sulfonyl fluoride is used for the synthesis of a PET radiotracer. 